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Canada’s Ties to Britain Large population of Canada’s population was of English, Irish, Scottish, and Irish descent Many Canadians still felt strong connection to Britain England and the Monarchy were committed to rallying support from Canada in war effort Mackenzie King was committed to helping Britain, but wanted to keep involvement limited Didn’t want to fight “Britain’s War” again, even if threat of Hitler was great Result of WWI left bad taste in Canadian public’s mouth
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The Home FrontTHE ROLE OF CANADA AND ITS PEOPLE DURING WWII
Recap Middle of 1940 Germany has taken over most of Europe France overrun and defeated Apart from Commonwealth support,
Britain is on its own Germany, Japan, Italy (and Russia) allied Japan expanding empire across Pacific Jewish persecution in Europe continually
increasing, Holocaust well underway
Canada’s Ties to Britain Large population of Canada’s population was of
English, Irish, Scottish, and Irish descent Many Canadians still felt strong connection to Britain
England and the Monarchy were committed to rallying support from Canada in war effort
Mackenzie King was committed to helping Britain, but wanted to keep involvement limited Didn’t want to fight “Britain’s War” again, even if threat of
Hitler was great Result of WWI left bad taste in Canadian public’s mouth
“All those opposed, say nay…” Near-unanimous support for war in Parliament,
but not in Canadian public People knew the threat Hitler posed, but were still against war
Conscientious Objectors People whose beliefs strictly prohibited violence under
any circumstance Ex. Mennonites
Pacifists Those who believe no violence is always preferable to any
violence Conscientious Objectors believe in pacifism
The East Coast Newfoundland-Labrador
Site of coastal defenses, airbase, naval bases, communications
Still British colony Maritimes
Site of Canada’s major ports Vital to supply convoys, naval protection, construction and
repairs Convoys
Canadian Naval ships escorted supply convoys partway across Atlantic
U-Boats Threat of U-Boat attacks always present in Atlantic and St.
Lawrence
Central Canada
Massive increase in manufacturing New products being manufactured in Canada
Southern Ontario, Montreal, and certain areas in Manitoba
Manufactured steel, munitions, aircraft, ships, radio equipment, and more
The West Coast
Responding to Japanese threat Japanese expansion threatened BC coast Vancouver especially worried; often enforced
blackouts every night Agricultural resurgence
Weather cooperated again after years of drought Harvests in Saskatchewan reached record-breaking
numbers Food made in Canada vital to soldiers
overseas
Role of Women Like WWI, enlistment of men left
many jobs open to women Industry
Women took jobs in steel mills, munitions factories
Labour shortages forced government to campaign more female demographics
Image of female steel worker became cultural icon
Agriculture Burden of working farms fell on ~800,000
Canadian women Often had to work double-time to make up for
missing men
Role of Aboriginal groups Aboriginal people across Canada still
experiencing poverty and discrimination Still desired to help war effort in various ways Part of the reason many enlisted
$23,000 in donations to war effort Donated part of federal treaty money back to war effort Raised money through selling furs and moccasins
Became integral in Industry & Agriculture Aboriginal land underwent large cultivation transformations Men rejected from enlisting were relocated to industrial jobs
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)
Announced December 17th, 1939 by Mackenzie King
Joint plan created by Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
Commonwealth pilots would first go to training schools in Canada before going to war
King hopeful this would be Canada’s main contribution to war Helped Allied effort without risking Canadian
lives
BCATP Continued
Canada chosen because of… Ideal weather Open space Large supply of fuel Industrial facilities Lack of any real threat from enemies Relative proximity to both Europe and Pacific
theatres
BCATP Continued Numerous schools for different Air Force roles
Initial training schools Elementary flying training schools Service flying training schools Air observer schools Bombing and gunnery schools Air navigation schools Wireless radio schools
Ended up training approximately 131,500 Air Force personnel
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